rattlenhum wrote: [quote=Edchris177]
But back to the original topic, I suspect that the N5.0 jib is small relative to the H16, and that's a huge factor in downwind sailing.
Add jib traveler, which allows for the better sail angle to their jib size and that will explain why the H16's are better downwind.
rattlenhum wrote: According to the Hobie USA site, the total sail area for the H16 is 218 sq ft. A lot of that area is in the jib, which is the shiznit downwind. Further, min.crew weight for the N5.0 is 20 lb. less so being over probably affects the N5.0 more.
I was very surprised to see that the D-PN for the N5.0 is as low as it is.
I think that is because of that downwind leg hurts them in overall performance. When you loose some distance there is hard to catch up when others are already on the faster leg of the race.
nacra55 wrote: The 5.0 has always been known as a heavy air boat, when the wind is "blowin dogs off chains" the 5.0 shines.
...
Did I mention sheet tension? Boomless boats love sheet tension.
Edchris177 wrote:
Jerome, I don't think the PN tells the entire story,the N5.0 is no slouch. It is an older design, & the skeg hulls means it's no lightweight, but when the wind gets honking, & the seas build, those big hulls are your friends.
+1 on sheet tension, heavy seas and blowing dogs of the chains... 😆
Last Sunday I sailed heavy, with my son (110lbs) and his friend (140lbs) in 16 - 22 knots wind, with 3-5 ft waves. That's total of 430lbs!!! With them on wires, we were smoking. Traveler in the middle, main sheet tension to the max and we had sweet revenge on those H16's 😛
.a boom, mast rotator and/or a barberhauler on a NACRA5.0...are you kidding me?
If racing in winds under 5 mph, no, not kidding. If your there to race.
Where I sail, we get the same wind patterns every day with few exceptions. That means racing in low winds for a race or two each day. It's a real PITA to lay on my back on the tramp parallel to the main beam with my foot rotating the mast or temp. rigging a line line do so. Adding the boom gives me pos. and neg. rotation without cluttering up the tramp. If I just want to go out and fart around, I can leave the boom off. Still no extra lines left on the tramp.